MIAMI — The Kansas City Chiefs playing in the Super Bowl has been a long time coming, their first appearance in 50 years. They’ve won their division each of the past four seasons, and made it to the postseason six of the past seven seasons. But each year, which the exception of maybe this one, has ended with a loss.
>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<
So it’s especially rewarding to reach the Super Bowl for the Chiefs’ longest-tenured players. Punter Dustin Colquitt leads the way, being in his 15th season with Kansas City. Following him are tight end Travis Kelce, offensive lineman Eric Fisher and fullback Anthony Sherman, all of whom have been with the organization since 2013.
Sherman — and most fullbacks, for that matter — is one of the team’s unsung leaders many people know little about. He rushed only four times and caught only two passes, but he played in every Chiefs game this season in some capacity, including special teams.
A fifth-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals out of the University of Connecticut, Sherman spent two seasons in Arizona before a 2013 trade sent him to Kansas City. He made his first Pro Bowl team last year as a fullback at the 2019 Pro Bowl.
He’s also a believer in Christ, and discussed Monday at Super Bowl Opening Night what God taught him this season.
“For us to lean on Him,” he told Sports Spectrum. “For us to know that there’s going to be ups and downs but we’re going to be where He wants us to be at the end, and that’s the only thing you can really rely on. He’s the only one that can show us the way we need to be, and if we can rely on Him and really understand what He’s trying to say, and help guys and have them find Him, it’s a great thing.”
“For us to lean on Him.”
—Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman at Super Bowl LIV Opening Night talking about his faith in Christ pic.twitter.com/obIXRomxzx
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) January 28, 2020
He said there’s a solid group of believers on the Chiefs who have leaned on each other all season in their walks with Christ.
“[It’s great] just to get around a group of guys that have the same beliefs and same goals as you — just like [the Pro Athletes Outreach Conference], to get around guys that are in the same profession, that know what you’re going through on a day-in and day-out basis, but you all know your Lord and Savior. For us to be able to lean together and walk this walk together is a great thing,” he said.
In reaching the Super Bowl, Sherman realizes there are few other platforms in the world that have a bigger audience than the Super Bowl. So he was thrilled to share about his faith on such a stage.
“That’s what we want to do as Christians is be His light,” he said. “For us to be able to do that today and for this week and for the game is great.”
The Chiefs face the San Francisco 49ers at 6:30 p.m. ET Sunday on FOX.
RELATED STORIES:
— NEW PODCAST: Earl Smith – San Francisco 49ers Team Chaplain
— Former 49ers TE Brent Jones reminisces on the first-ever postgame prayer huddle
— NEW PODCAST: Marcellus Casey – Kansas City Chiefs Team Chaplain
— 49ers RB Raheem Mostert thanks God after big rushing day lifts S.F. to Super Bowl
— Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes leads Kansas City to Super Bowl as he leans on faith
— Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt sees God at work ‘in all aspects’ of his life
— ‘Death Row Chaplain’ Earl Smith a source of inspiration as he ministers to 49ers, Warriors
— Kansas City Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt: ‘My identity is my faith in Christ’
